Abstract
Abstract The presence of urban green spaces (UGS) increases the human’s contact with nature and provides numerous benefits to the society and the local environment. In this way, analyzing, planning and stimulating the implementation of UGS in cities is a fundamental action to improve the life quality of urban society. In this context, the aim was to analyze the situation and distribution of the green spaces of the universities cities of Lavras, Minas Gerais State (Brazil) and Newark, Delaware (USA). For data collection, researches performed field visits and used aerial photography to survey and analysis before calculating indicators including green area index (GAI) and green space ratio (GSR). The city of Lavras has a GAI of 0.54 m2 inh-1. The GSR value was 0.29%, not meeting the minimum of 5% required by local municipal law. Furthermore, there is a bad distribution of UGSs in the urban framework. However, in Newark, the distribution of UGSs is homogeneous and covers all regions of the city. The calculated GAI was 50.2 m² inh-1 and the GSR has met the 7% minimum required by its Newark Municipal Law. When comparing the two cities, in different countries and conditions it is concluded that Newark (DE) presents UGS indicators, GAI (m² inh-1) and GSR (%), higher than the values obtained in Lavras (MG), indicating the need for Government actions to increase these values.
Highlights
Material and MethodsIn recent decades, urban growth without adequate planning resulted in the consequent absence of urban green spaces (UGSs) in urban centers
Two green area index (GAI) were calculated for Newark: the first consisted of the sum of the total UGS area (m2) divided by the estimated number of city’s inhabitants in the year 2015; and the second considered the city’s floating population (UD, 2015; US Census Bureau, 2016)
A total green space ratio (GSR) was calculated through the generated map using the area extension data of the sectors considered as urban provided by the IBGE, and the other GSR was calculated according to the perimeter traced through the orthophoto in the ArcGIS 10.3 software, finding the indications of Complementary Law no. 156, from September 22, 2008 (Law on the use and occupation of urban land in the city of Lavras) and the city’s master plan (Complementary Law No 097, from April 17, 2007)
Summary
Material and MethodsIn recent decades, urban growth without adequate planning resulted in the consequent absence of urban green spaces (UGSs) in urban centers. Two GAIs were calculated for Newark: the first consisted of the sum of the total UGS area (m2) divided by the estimated number of city’s inhabitants in the year 2015; and the second considered the city’s floating population (UD, 2015; US Census Bureau, 2016).
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